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As a new player in a fiercely competitive snack category, Takis has launched its very first Canada-wide campaign with a shocking message: ...

As a new player in a fiercely competitive snack category, Takis has launched its very first Canada-wide campaign with a shocking message: DON’T EAT TAKIS. The brand, which targets young adults, is using reverse psychology to make its mark.

“In a context where everyone is vying for consumers’ attention, we had to create a message that was strong and impactful, even if people’s reaction was simply to ask, ‘What are Takis, anyway?”, explains Heather Crees, SVP Marketing at Canada Bread, which manufactures the brand.

“The message we’re sending consumers at each point of contact is don’t eat Takis, don’t follow us on Facebook or Instagram, and don’t visit our website. We hide the logo. We block out the product. We purposely don’t play by the normal rules. Why? People here have never seen chips this intense, so it's our duty to warn them!” say Anne-Claude Chénier, Vice-President, Creative Advertising, and Michel-Alex Lessard, Vice-President, Strategy at Cossette.

What’s more, since the campaign launched, Takis has switched its Instagram page to private mode in an attempt to discourage users from following it. Naturally, it had the opposite effect.

In three videos, Takis drives home its message when it surprises consumers who fail to heed its warnings. Rest assured that no one was harmed during the making of these videos. All “victims” walked away with smiles on their faces… and a bag of Takis!

The national offensive is being rolled out across several platforms, from out-of-home and posters in the public transit system, to an online component and social networks. Cossette also created the campaign website donteattakis.ca.

In the coming weeks, new content will be posted on social media thanks to partnerships with influencers from across Canada, such as Pyrobooby, Bongizzlez, Ryan Swaze and Lysandre Nadeau.

About Cossette
Cossette is a fully integrated marketing communications agency. It’s a community of 700 creative humans who help people and brands connect in meaningful ways.

Cossette was named Agency of the Year in Canada in 2016 and 2017. It currently has offices in Halifax, Québec City, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver, and has been making strides to become a major player in the global advertising community. To learn more, visit cossette.com.

About Canada Bread Company, Limited
Canada Bread Company, Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo since May, 2014, is a leading producer and distributor of packaged fresh bread and bakery products with brands such as Dempster's®, Villaggio®, POM®, Bon Matin®, Ben's®, McGavins®, Vachon® and Stonemill®. In business for more than 100 years, the Company operates 19 bakeries and employs approximately 4,800 associates across Canada. For more information, please visit www.canadabread.com.